Copper base alloy



Patented Jan. 26, 1943 COPPER BASE ALLOY Donald I K. Crampton, Marion,

and Henry L.

, Burghofl, Waterbury, Oonn., asslgnors to Chase Brass & Copper Co. Incorporated, Waterbury,

Own, a corporation No Drawing. Application August 16, 1941,

'Serial No. 407,217 7 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in copper-base alloys.

One object of this invention is toprovide improved copper-base alloys having high yieldstrength and tensile strength, good ductility and good corrosion-resistance.

Other objects of this invention will appear from the present disclosure.

We have invented improved copper-base alloys having zinc from 4% to 30%, nickel from 5% to 30%, phosphorus from 0.03% to 0.4% and the remainder substantially of copper, the copper being from 65% to 90%, and the total of the zinc,

nickel and copper being at least 97%. A more preferred range is to have the zinc from 4% to 22%, the nickel from 8% to 22%, the phosphorus from 0.05% to 0.3%, and the balance substantially of copper, the copper being from 72% to 88%, and the total of the zinc, nickel and copper being at least 97%. One preferred alloy contains zinc about 5%, nickel about 20%, phosphorus about 0.2%, and the remainder substantially of copper. Another preferred alloy contains zinc about 20%, nickel about 10%, phosphorus about 0.15%, and the remainder substantially of copper; 7

Phosphorus in the range given is an absolutely essential component of our improved alloys in conjunction with the zinc and nickel, not only to accomplish age-hardening. but also to form sound cast billets or ingots free from metallic oxides,vsince the phosphorus ensures that any not exceed 1% as it causes manganese oxide inclusions which result in elongated surface defects as a result of metal drawing operations. If any tin is to be present, it should not exceed /2% as it causes diificulty in hot working. If any aluminum or silicon or chromium is to be present in the alloy, the amount of the aluminum or silicon or chromium should not exceed 0.1% as these elements result in refractory and abrasiv oxides which cause rapid wear on tools and dies.

These alloys are age-hardenable' and possess desirable high yield-strength with good ductility and tensile strength in their age-hardened condition. They also have good corrosion-resistance to saline solutions, and a pleasing white color.

The alloys of the invention can be rendered soft and ductile by annealing or heating at temperature in the range from about 1200 F. to about 1650" F. to constitute a solution treatment for the age-hardening nickel and phosphorus oxygen present would be in combination with the metalloid phosphorus to thus form an innocuous oxide, rather than combining with the metals zinc or nickel to form refractory and abrasive oxides which would cause rapid wear on fabricating tools and dies. In this alloy, the phosphorus also appears to perform the function of so altering the relative solubility of gases in the liquid and solid states as to prevent any substantial liberation of such gases in the form of bubbles which if trapped in the alloy would cause serious discontinuities which would persist through the final form of an article or shape wrought from the alloy.

If any lead is to be present in the alloy, it should not exceed 1.5% as it embrittles the alloy so as to interfere with metal working operations used in producing wrought articles and shapes from the alloy. If any iron is to be present in the alloy, it should not exceed 1% as it causes annealing difliculties and renders the control of grain structure more diiilcult. 11' any manmaterial, and quenching, or cooling sufilciently rapidly, from such temperature to hold agehardening material in solution, and can be subsequently. age-hardened by re-heating or aging at temperature in the range from about 600 F. to about 1050" F. for from one-half to six hours or longer, depending on the temperature, to precip tate age-hardening material out of solution.

The invention may be carried out in other specific ways than those herein set forth without departing from the spirit and essential characteristics of the invention, and the present embodiments are. therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all changes coming within the meaning and equivalency range of the appended claims are intended to be embraced therein.

We claim:

1. A copper-base alloy consisting substantially of: zinc from 4% to 30%: nickel from 5% to 30%; phosphorus from 0.03% to 0.4%: and-the balance substantially of copper; the amount of the copper being at least 65%, and the total of the zinc, nickel and copper being at least 97%.

2. A copper-base alloy consisting substantially of: zinc from 4% to 22%; nickel from 8% to 22%; phosphorus from 0.05% to 0.3%; and the balance substantially of copper; the amount of the copper being at least 72%, and the total of the zinc, nickel and'copper being at l ast 97%.

3. A copper-base alloy consisting substantially of: zinc about 20%; nickel about 10%; Phosganese is to be present in the alloy, it should phorus about 0.15%; and the balance substanthe copper being at least 65%, and the total of the zinc, nickel and copper being at least 97%, said alloy having been given a solution treatment by having been suitably cooled from tempera- -ture in the range from about 1200 F. to about 1650 F. and having been hardened by having been given a precipitation treatment at tem-- perature in the range from about 600 F. to about 1050 F.

DONALD K. CRAMPTON. HENRY L. BURGHOFF. 

